Why was she estranged from her family?
“Which book are you looking at?”
The window display had many on show. There was a book on child’s fables. One onThe Art Of Cookery Made Easy.There was also the latest edition ofCaptain Broadbent and Lady Nauticus, which he absolutely refused to read because his cousins all did, and usually told him word perfect what was happening.
“I was just browsing, sir.”
Her eyes were on the window, and his were drawn to the soft, pale skin of her neck below the bonnet.
“Are you on your way home, Miss Knight?”
She nodded. “I am, sir. If you will excuse me, I will make my way there now.” She dropped into another curtsey and then walked away.
He watched her and saw the moment the boy sprinted out of the bookshop with a coin pouch in his hands.
“Stop, thief!”
The boy shot a look over his shoulder.
“Ruby, watch out!” Forrest ran as the boy collided with her, sending her toward the street. He grabbed her just before she hit the ground. Hauling her upright, Forrest retreated from the oncoming carriage.
Heart pounding, he felt the rapid pulse of hers as she rested against him. The grip he had on her was fierce, but he could not seem to let her go.
“Are you all right?” Her eyes were wide in her face as she looked up at him. Gloved hands gripped his lapels
“I—yes, thank you, Mr. H-Howarth.”
“That carriage would have hit you.”
She managed a jerky nod. She had the softest lips. The sweet curve of the top one held his attention.
“Little blighter!” A man, clearly the bookstore proprietor, was standing outside his door waving a fist in the air.
“Release me, pl-please, Mr. Howarth.”
He made sure she was steady and then stepped back. Looking to the road, he noticed her bread and potatoes had been smashed under the carriage wheels.
“I’m sorry, can I get you some more food?”
“No, thank you. I am fine.” She backed away from him. “I… ah, I need to go.”
“Miss Knight, Ruby, will you let me walk you home? You have had a shock.”
She forced her lips up into a smile that did not reach her lovely gray-blue eyes.
“I am quite well, as you saved me from injury, Mr. Howarth. Good day to you.” She bobbed a curtsey, then turned from him.
She fled. Actually ran away from him. What the hell was that all about? Why was she running away from him? Surely, he was not that terrifying?
Odd.
He watched her until she’d disappeared. Behind him, the shopkeeper was now consoling the man whose money had been stolen.
Heading home, he thought about Ruby Knight and how she’d felt in his arms. Pressed to his chest. Those lips… He’d had a powerful urge to kiss her. He never would. Forrest would have a discreet liaison with a woman, but nothing more. Miss Knight would be more. She was not a woman for a liaison. Ruby would end up married one day and have children.
Of course, he knew absolutely nothing about her, so he couldn’t make a judgement on her life. He wanted to know about her though. The more he saw and learned of her, the more he needed to know her story.
Was she eating only potatoes and bread for her meal?
